Hà Nội Travel Guide
Weather, best time to visit, and the best food, culture, nature and activities.
Typical prices
- Budget meal₫40,000≈ $1.52
- Mid-range meal₫150,000≈ $5.72
- Cappuccino₫25,000≈ $0.95
- Domestic beer₫15,000≈ $0.57
- Taxi (per km)₫12,000≈ $0.46
- Public transport ticket₫9,000≈ $0.34
- Museum entry₫40,000≈ $1.52
- Mid-range hotel (night)₫900,000≈ $34.30
Food & Drink
- Cha Ca Thang LongVietnamese · $$
Old Quarter restaurant specializing in cha ca — turmeric-and-dill grilled fish cooked tableside over charcoal, a Hanoi signature dish.
- Bun Cha Huong LienVietnamese · $
Old Quarter noodle shop where Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain famously shared bun cha and beer in 2016.
- Pho Gia TruyenVietnamese · $
Long-queued Old Quarter pho stall on Bat Dan Street, serving only beef pho since the 1950s.
- Banh Mi 25Vietnamese Street Food · $
Popular Old Quarter banh mi stall known for its pate-and-grilled-pork sandwiches served fast to a constant line.
- Ta Hien Street ('Beer Street')
Old Quarter corner packed with plastic-stool bia hoi bars serving fresh draft beer, a nightly gathering spot for locals and travelers.
- Standing Bar
Old Quarter cocktail bar known for creative drinks using Vietnamese ingredients like lemongrass and pandan.
Culture & History
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ba Dinh Square mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body lies in state, guarded and open for viewing most mornings.
- Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Museum documenting Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups through artifacts and full-scale traditional houses in its outdoor garden.
- Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)
Preserved former French colonial prison later used to hold American POWs, including John McCain's flight suit.
- Vietnam National Museum of History
Colonial-era building near Hoan Kiem Lake tracing Vietnamese history from prehistory through the 20th century.
- Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu)
Lantern-filled children's festival with mooncakes and lion dances, especially lively on Hang Ma Street in the Old Quarter.
Nature & Outdoors
- Ba Vi National Park
Forested mountain national park with waterfalls, hiking trails, and views toward the Red River Delta.